Features

Historical Society Seeks Bohemians 

In preparation for a spring exhibit on early Berkeley Bohemians, the Berkeley Historical Society is looking for help from families with longtime roots in the community. 

The exhibit focuses on artists, poets, writers, musicians, photographers and other creative folks who lived in Berkeley between 1890 and 1925. 

Along with profiling some famous and not-so-famous local Bohemians, the society is researching neighborhood activities and social events of the era related to the Bohemian theme.  

Because ordinary Berkeley families often gave parties featuring musical and dramatic presentations in their backyards and living rooms, the society is asking for those with families here then to check their photo albums and records for any photos or personal accounts of these activities. 

Relevant photos and documents can be scanned and returned to their owners. 

Anyone with possible submissions should contact Ed Herny, co-curator of the exhibit, at 415-725-4674 (cell) or by e-mail at edphemra@pacbell.net. 

UC Wins Lab Contract Extension 

As expected, the University of California has been granted a one-year contract extension to manage Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, lab officials said this weekend. 

The announcement comes as the U.S. Department of Energy finalizes a schedule for competitive bidding among universities and corporations for management of the Berkeley lab as well as UC-managed nuclear weapons labs Lawrence Livermore and Los Alamos. 

Los Alamos has been beset by scandal in recent years, prompting President Bush to sign legislation last fall opening all UC contracts to bid. 

The law allows the DOE to grant UC a second one-year contract extension for LBNL. 

UC officials have expressed their intention to bid for LBNL, which performs unclassified, general science research. Most experts assume they have the inside track considering the close links between lab staff and UC Berkeley faculty. 

—Matthew Artz 

Planners to Hear Bus Proposal 

Berkeley Planning Commissioners will hear an AC Transit proposal Wednesday that could significantly change bus service in downtown and South Berkeley. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

As part of its East Bay Bus Rapid Transit project (BRT), AC Transit wants to construct bus-only lanes and light rail-like station structures along an 18-mile corridor from downtown Berkeley to Bay Fair BART. Possible plans include a pedestrian/bus mall on upper Telegraph Avenue just outside the UC campus. 

AC Transit is seeking Planning Commission feedback for inclusion in an Environmental Impact Report being prepared for the project. 

—J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 

Police Get Money To Fight Drunk Driving 

Drunk drivers will soon have plenty to fear when they cross into Berkeley. The Berkeley Police Department announced last week it had received a $222,185 federal grant to step up its drunk driving enforcement. 

The grant, part of $35.2 million in traffic safety grants distributed to California cities last year, will pay for two officers two nights per week, devoted solely to driving under the influence enforcement as well as eight DUI sobriety checkpoints. 

—Matthew Artz